On Thursday, a golfer was attacked by an alligator near Hilton Head, SC. He lost his arm below the elbow, reports this newspaper story. There are alligators in the Carolinas? What? And are they lurking in North Carolina?1 Looking around the web, it appears that 'gators have been sighted as far north as the Great Dismal Swamp near the Virginia border. Others report seeing basking beasts in the canal along Highway 64 between Columbia and Mann's Harbor. The state's southern counties have the highest percentage of alligators. On the USS North Carolina in Wilmington, a sign warns visitors that the things are dangerous. Implied is that they are also nearby. Next question, how far inland are they found? Readers, please advise.

1Having lived in North Carolina for 29 years, including high school on the coast, I probably already knew there were alligators here. Just hadn't thought it lately. Too much time at the computer can do that. Plus, the question makes for a good posting.

2Yes, alligators are not crocodiles. But the mug is cute.

My family has a beach house on Harbor Island near Beaufort, SC and Alligator sightings are pretty common. Usually if you leave them alone they will leave you alone. At least on the coast of SC they are pretty common.Marshall Sherard KE4ZNR (Email) (Web Site) - 10/12/09 - 09:51